an--prime seamen and bold fellows both. Further down the table,
the huge Dutchman, Velsers, was nodding stupidly over his rum.

These men and a few others were veterans like Hornigold himself. They
were the best of the lot, but for the most part the assemblage was made
up of the sweepings of the town, men who had the willingness to do
anything no matter how nefarious it might be, their only deterrent being
lack of courage. Hornigold's single eye swept over them with a fierce
gleam of contempt, yet these were they with whom he must work in case of
necessity.

One or two others in whom he reposed confidence, men who composed the
crew of his own pinnace, he had sent off early in the evening to Spanish
Town to gather what news they could. One of them came in and reported
that the squadron of horse which had gone up with the officers to bring
back Morgan had come back without him and without the officers. The
spy's insignificance prevented him from learning why this was, but hope
instantly sprang up in Hornigold's breast upon receipt of this news.
Knowing Morgan as he did, he was convinced that he had found some means
to dispose of the two officers and send away the cavalry.

He was not unprepared, therefore, when he saw the tall form of the
maroon appearing in the doorway through the smoke. No one else noticed
the silent Carib's entry, and he stood motionless until Hornigold's eye
fastened upon him. Then by an imperceptible move of his head he
indicated a desire to speak with him without the room. The one-eyed
nodded slightly in token that he understood, and the maroon vanished as
silently as he had come. Waiting a few moments, Hornigold rose from his
seat and began threading his way through the boisterous crowd toward the
door. Thrusting aside detaining hands and answering rude queries with an
old sailor's ready banter, bidding them on no account to cease the
festivities because of his departure, and in fact ordering a new draught
of rum for all hands, he succeeded in breaking away under cover of the
cheers which greeted this announcement.

It was pitch dark outside and he stopped a moment, hesitating as to what
he should do. He had no doubt but that the maroon had a message for him
from his master. But a second had elapsed when he felt a light touch on
his shoulder. His hand went instantly to the seaman's hanger at his side
and he faced about promptly. A ready man was Master Hornigold.

"It's I, bo's'n," whispered a f